The best time to begin the Bridal Shower party planning is a time long before the wedding. This way you don't get overly stressed out about planning so many events in order to have a traditional wedding.

Typically the Bridal Shower is seen as the alternative or opposite to the bachelor party. Although more and more these days the bridal shower is hosted by both the bride and groom and later on the bride and groom each has their own bachelor and bachelorette party. This way the bride and groom can invite people that may not be able to come to the wedding to their shower and allow them the chance to celebrate in earnest without feeling guilty about missing the wedding.

Be sure to send out the invitations to the Bridal Shower long in advance of the party. To give everyone invited a chance to RSVP just as they would for the wedding and to clear their schedules if they are coming. Also the Bridal Shower isn't as big an affair as the wedding and its meant to celebrate the bride's coming wedding, so try not to have it so involved that you need to charge guests for arriving or a plate or something like that. Keep the meal easy and something that you can put together yourself without too much cost. A salad bar is great or a buffet of light snacks and coffee. This way guests will feel like they've gotten to eat and you don't have to worry about hurting feelings with a meal fee.

There is always a gift opening period at every bridal shower. As you open gifts remember to keep the tag that came with it attached or stuffed in the box. That way you know who brought what and you can send them a thank you card later on with actual details about what you liked in the gift.